In The Valley

God made the valleys with beautiful, nourishing things to sustain us and give enjoyment on our pathway in life. Who doesn’t love flowers and babbling brooks? Watching butterflies fluttering through the air and the sounds of birds chirping from a nearby bush? These things aren’t usually found on the mountaintop. However, sometimes when we’re in the valley we cannot appreciate what we actually have. It’s easier to see the “other” stuff; but no matter what we face in life, the answer is always in and through the valley with our Shepherd. 

So, why do we always strive for the mountaintop experiences thinking we’re better off there? 

Think about it, what we see from up there is the beauty of the valley we’ve just passed through...and maybe the one to come. What we couldn’t see while we were down there, the beauty which was hidden by some darker days or distractions, was this same beautiful valley. We can simply observe the whole picture at once from this vantage point...God’s intended purpose for the mountaintop. 

Our takeaway from a mountaintop experience should simply remind us that it is in the valley that we gain strength and nurturing to climb the next one. No one can live on the mountaintop continuously. The valley shouldn’t be a dreadful place but rather a place of strengthening, renewal and growth - a place of hope and trust in a God who designed and prepared this place especially for us, His beloved children. 

Be blessed and encouraged today~